Difference between UML and ER diagram

1. Unified Modelling Language (UML) :
UML is a modelling language that visually represents a software system.

2. ER Diagram :
ER diagram is a pictorial representation of the real-world entities and their relationships with each other.

Difference between UML and ER Diagram:

S. No.	CATEGORY	UML	ER diagram
1.	Full Form	UML stands for Unified Modelling Language.	ER Diagram stands for Entity Relationship Diagram.
2.	Definition	It is a general modelling language which is used to visualize the design of a software system.	It is a pictorial representation of the real-world entities and their relationships with each other.
3.	Relationship	It is the parent of ER diagram.	It is the child of UML.
4.	Use	It is used to design the entire software.	It is used to design only the databases.
5.	Scale	It is mainly used in case of large-scale software development.	IT can be used in case of database development of all scales.
6.	Components	It has use cases and workflows.	It has entities, attributes and relationships.
7.	Diagrams involved	It involves use case diagrams and activity diagrams.	It is itself involved in representation.
8.	Primary User	It is used by developers to understand flow of program.	It is made for the understanding of Stake holders and enterprise owners, to understand that their requirements have been correctly met.
9.	Depiction	Flow of control is depicted.	Relationships are depicted.
10.	Modelling	It is a form of dynamic modelling as it can depict what activities are being performed at what time.	It depicts static modelling (as unlike UML it does not depict state of the activities).
11.	States	It involves a final and an initial state.	It has no state representation.
12.	Shapes used	It is uses circles, rectangles with round corners, arrow heads, diamonds, rectangular bars etc.	It uses only 3 shapes (oval, rectangle and diamond).
13.	Use of swimlanes	It uses swimlanes.	It does not use swimlanes.
14.	Time	It can represent time taken during activities.	It does not depict time.
15.	Types	It is of 2 types, Structural UML diagrams and Behavioral UML diagrams	It does not have types, however, it contains entities, relationships and attributes each of which have several types.